In the city of London, ecoLogicStudio, the pioneering biodesign firm founded by Prof Claudia Pasquero and Dr Marco Poletto, presented a groundbreaking installation named AIR.garden, redefining urban sustainability. A powerful revolution is unfolding within the Haleon office at Bankside, unlike green walls or potted plants. Co‑designed with help from Konstantina Bikou, Jasper Zehetgruber, Francesca Turi, Alessandra Poletto, these biotechnological office partitions feature spirulina photobioreactors, air purification & CO₂ capture in a modular design.
AIR.garden: Interactive Ecology in the Workplace
Nestled at the new London office of Haleon, just next to the Tate Modern and overlooking St. Paul’s Cathedral, ecoLogicStudio designed a partition system through which the sunlight filters, illuminating the structure, evolving as the sculpture. Profoundly rooted in the research initiative of PhotoSynthetica™ across UCL Bartlett and the University of Innsbruck, this installation aims to merge biotechnological intelligence with modern design principles to foster engaging workspaces that support mental wellbeing. It creates a symbiotic relationship between humans and their environment. They are not just designing structures, but cultivating ecosystems within them.
‘By merging ancient biological intelligence with cutting-edge design innovation, together we can now transform the workplace into a hub of health, innovation, and environmental responsibility, ’ affirms Dr. Marco Poletto, co-founder and Director of ecoLogicStudio.
The Science Inside the Sculpture
AIR.garden is not just a green feature, but it is intricately crafted with borosilicate glass reactors brimming with Spirulina micro-algae, a powerful method that is ten times more efficient at photosynthesis than their leafy counterparts. The result is a strong air purification system that devours CO2 and pollutants, releasing fresh, oxygen-rich air. To revolutionize the role of nature in the workspace, this installation harnesses the biological intelligence of microalgae Spirulina, one of the oldest and most robust photosynthetic organisms on Earth.
ecoLogicStudio’s installation does not just purify the air; it illustrates a radical circular economy. The biomass, as it purifies the air, isn’t the waste; instead, it is harvested and transformed into a valuable resource, a protein-rich super-food that supports employees’ health, or even a biopolymer for 3D-printing new architectural components, including the furniture that nestles these living reactors. It provides a closed-loop system against conventional linear consumption.
Living Architecture as the New Standard
ecoLogicStudio will release the detailed performance data from the Haleon installation, including real-time air quality improvements and the quantity of biomass harvested. Industry experts are wondering about the potential of these biotechnological advancements in public spaces and residential developments. To foster smart, green, and sensitive design, AIR.garden becomes the living example of transforming a concrete jungle into a breathable oasis.
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